Related Stories

TORONTO - There is a movement afoot to push back on Gary Bettman's concussion protocol directive.

Citing "the unreasonableness" of forcing teams to sit a player suspected of being concussed for a 15-minute doctor's examination, one GM teed off on the concept yesterday.

"I have no problem treating these things cautiously but this is an overreaction, a knee-jerk reaction," said the GM, insisting at least a third of the GMs agree with him and will make their feelings known to the league.

"We weren't allowed to vote or discuss it. I was in the bar with about 10 other guys afterwards and they were all grumbling about it. I'm not opposed to beefing up the protocol but we know it doesn't take 15 minutes and that's my biggest concern. There's a right way and a wrong way. This is what doctors told the league is best to do but we're the ones to have to put the thing in practice and it doesn't make sense."

With an eye on identifying and managing the increasing number of concussions the NHL has seen this year, Bettman instituted the directive at last week's GM meetings as part of a five-point plan to improve player safety. As part of the concussion protocol, the NHL commissioner took the power away from trainers who have typically tended to banged up players and put it squarely in the hands of the game's host physician. Some have worried host doctors could either take their time getting down to see a visiting player or err too much on the side of caution to deprive a visiting team its star player.

"We don't worry about a doctor's ethical stance - they have way too much integrity for that," said the GM, who requested anonymity for obvious reasons.

"I'm worried about how much time it takes. Maybe a doctor is dealing with another player at the time. Why 15 minutes and why is it out of the trainer's hands? What about a guy like (Milan) Lucic who gets drilled and is always slow to get up but is never hurt? Does he sit for 15? We have to sit down and talk about it with the league and the doctors in the room at the draft this June."

On Thursday night, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Darryl Boyce left the game to be checked out by a doctor who the Leafs just happened to have at the stadium in Florida because he was attending a wedding. The examination found no sign of concussion and he was allowed back on the bench in less than half the 15 minutes allotted by the league.

"The last question I always ask my doctor before I let a player go back on the ice: 'if this was your son would you let him go back on the ice?'" said the GM.

"Our most valuable assets are our players. I understand players will lie so they can get back on ice and I admire that. I want to get these right but you can get hit real hard without getting a concussion. Look at UFC guys."

As another GM confirmed, "he's not alone with those concerns."

Meanwhile, to avoid the possibility of being at a competitive disadvantage, several other GMs are looking into the possibility of bringing their doctor on the road next year.

Oilers GM Steve Tambellini said he figured many teams will strongly consider the possibility while Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon suggested maybe they'd do it at least for divisional games.

Calgary Flames GM Jay Feaster said his club is looking into the legalities as every state has different rules regarding out of state doctors practicing there.

It would certainly be a costly proposition rife with logistical problems as all team doctors also run their own practices.Most teams currently bring their doctor on the road only for playoff games.

As Advertised in the Calgary SUN

About the author

Other Stories

Anyone still think Glen Gulutzan should be fired? Hands up for those who still want Dougie Hamilton shipped out of town? Is there anyone left who believes Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan simply can’t handle their new pay grade?

Graham DeLaet insists he didn’t shave his beard off because David Feherty suggested the Canadian golfer “looked like he was trying to swallow a cat.”He did it because he was taking too much abuse from his kids.Not the sort of verbal jabs Feherty tosses out like old golf gloves, but real, hurtful physical abuse.“I have twins and they turned a year o